Medicare Parts A and B—often called Original Medicare—are the two foundational components of the U.S. federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older, and for certain younger individuals with disabilities. Please review the CMS guidelines for coverage here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/enrollment-renewal/original-part-a-b
Part A helps cover inpatient care, including:
- Hospital stays
- Skilled nursing facility care
- Hospice care
- Some home health services
Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. However, there are deductibles and coinsurance depending on the length of your hospital stay
Part B covers outpatient care, such as:
- Doctor visits
- Preventive services (e.g., flu shots, cancer screenings)
- Outpatient therapy
- Durable medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers)
- Some home health care
Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B, which varies based on income. There’s also an annual deductible, and typically you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services after meeting the deductible
Late Enrollment Penalty: If you delay enrolling in Part B without other coverage, you may pay a higher premium for life.
